THE VILLAGE
NEWS
17 FEBRUARY 2021 YOUR FREE COPY #ALLOVEROVERBERG The next issue of The Village NEWS will be out on 24 February 2021.
www.thevillagenews.co.za
Baguette, one of the three donkeys on White Water Farm, eyeing the carrots in the organic vegetable garden on the property. Baguette and the other two donkeys, Braise and Bearnaise, do a fantastic job of protecting the garden from wandering baboons! Go to www.whitewaterfarm.co.za for more photos and information on this beautiful farm in Stanford or pay them a visit. PHOTO: Ollie and the Captain (www.ollieandthecaptain.com)
More economic help to come Writer De Waal Steyn
B
usinesses in the Western Cape and especially in the Overstrand are eagerly awaiting the annual State of the Province address by Premier Alan Winde on Wednesday 17 February in Genadendal.
summer season due to lockdown restrictions, The Village NEWS was hard pressed to find many local entrepreneurs that directly benefitted from the provincial government’s economic response plan.
Winde said his address will outline their next steps to boost the economy to stimulate job creation. “I can assure residents and businesses alike that the Western Cape Government will continue to fight for jobs, advocate for business and build partnerships that lead to increased trade and investment and reduced red tape,” he said.
Many businesses reported that they did indeed receive payments from the national UIF Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), but in many instances not all the promised payments were received. According to a survey by NEASA (National Employers Association of South Africa) 19% of employers still have not received their June 2020 UIF/TERS monies. Of the 81% of employers who received payment, only 67% were paid in full.
But while local businesses are still struggling after a disappointing
Although Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa said the TERS benefit has been extended
until 15 March 2021 for sectors that have not been able to fully operate, it seems that many tourism-related businesses will struggle even with this assistance. The good news, however, is that wine farms in the region did benefit from the Western Cape Government’s Wine Tourism Workers Support Stipend. In total 1 165 employees benefited from this initiative. According to Winde his government’s response to the pandemic was a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods. “In addition to advocating for the safe re-opening of business, based on scientific evidence, we have also provided a support package to businesses to protect jobs and grow the economy. By promoting investment, providing
financial and non-financial support and through innovative interventions, we have attracted billions of Rands of investment into the Western Cape over the past year, helped to create or support thousands of jobs and economic opportunities, and supported small and informal businesses to stay afloat,” he said. To support SMMEs, the R39 million Covid-19 Business Relief Fund was established and provided relief to 257 businesses across the Western Cape, sustaining 2 041 jobs. A total of R4.7 million in relief funding was allocated to 753 successful Arts, Culture and Heritage applicants. Backlogs in the Deeds Office were reduced by more than 25 000 applications, and the fast tracking of 11 Environmental Impact Assessment
applications resulted in R130 million in investment value opportunities created. More than 3 500 young people were also assisted in finding work. “To support the informal economy, we partnered with the EDP on a pilot project that supported the township economy and the humanitarian response by giving community kitchens vouchers to buy stock from local spaza shops. This project will also be launched in the Overberg,” Winde said. Small businesses were also assisted in staying safe and adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols by providing 11 000 Covid-19 safety kits that were given to businesses across the province. In addition, more than 100 000 masks were distributed to agricultural workers in the province.
2
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
New fire trucks for Overstrand O
n Friday 12 February, the Hermanus Fire Department held a private event in their new building to formally announce the arrival of three shiny new Isuzu fire trucks for the Overstrand. The welcoming address by Municipal Manager Dean O’Neil was followed by a moment of silence for the Overberg firefighters in hospital who were injured in the recent fires, and for firefighter Nelio van Rooy who lost his life in the Barrydale fire. Mayor Dudley Coetzee thanked the firefighters for their dedication and their service, calling them the ‘unsung heroes’ of the community. He also thanked the Western Cape government for their contribution and for ensuring that our firemen are well-equipped to face whatever challenges are thrown at them. Other speakers at the event included Marlu Rust (Assistant Director: Western Cape Provin-
cial Fire Services), Chief Lester Smith (Fire & Rescue, Disaster Management and Security) and Assistant Chief Angelo Aplon (Operations & Training) who gave an overview of how fire services in the Overstrand have grown over the years. The new fire trucks were surely needed, though, as the last time the Fire Department acquired new vehicles was in 1985 (two) and 1987 (one). These vehicles are still in use today (35 years later!) because they have been well taken care of and have had a facelift or two over the decades. It was said that the Fire Department had learnt to “do more with less” by recycling and reusing old equipment. But while the older vehicles were still running, they were becoming slower, unreliable and unsafe, and often out of service while waiting for new parts. The new vehicles are made from cab chassis from Isuzu that were outfitted by 600CT to create three, powerful fire trucks. According
Ebrahim Isaacs (Senior Firefighter: Hermanus), Angelo Aplon (Assistant Chief: Operations and Training), Lester Smith (Chief: Senior Manager Fire & Rescue, Disaster Management and Security Services), Meagan Carelse (Administrator: Disaster Management), Gallie Badenhorst (Senior Firefighter: Gansbaai) and Adam Mars (Senior Firefighter: Kleinmond). Ebrahim, Gallie and Adam will each be in charge of looking after the fire trucks at their respective stations. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
to Lester, before the three new trucks arrived, the average appliance/equipment age for the fire department was 19.47 years (4 years past renewal date). Now, it is down to an average of 11.43 years – a significant achievement. Arnie Afrika (Mayoral Committee Member for
Protection Services) closed the event by giving his vote of thanks to 600CT, Isuzu, Fire 24/7, Western Cape Provincial Fire Services, Overberg FPA, Mayor Dudley Coetzee, Municipal Manager Dean O’Neil and his administration, Overstrand Councillors, the Portfolio Committee, the Programme Director, and all the firefighters.
Good for Chaz, good for the environment Pat Redford, founder of the Hermanus Baboon Action Group (HBAG), spent the rainy winter months during lockdown writing a story book about the baboons in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) entitled Good for Chaz! As an awareness and educational tool that includes activities and colouring in pages, it turned out to be much more than just a story book. The intention of Good for Chaz! was to encourage children to develop a fondness for the baboons, rather than being afraid of them, says Pat. “My hope was for children to learn, through the story, that there is a remarkable place for the baboons to live naturally – where they belong and are truly needed – and for both the children and the parents reading to them to develop an interest in, and a respect for FNR and its wildlife. In addition, I wanted to create a better understanding of the many risks associated with baboons in high-density suburbia and to promote awareness of the impact that poor refuse management has on wildlife.” The book, which is appropriate for
It was a happy day for learners (and their parents) as they finally returned to school on Monday. At Hermanus High School, the new Grade 8s were excited about their first week of orientation and the start of their high school careers. After almost a whole year without school sports, learners are also looking forward to the resumption of non-contact sports such as cricket and swimming. Let the Hermie magic begin! PHOTOS: Nanette Ras
Anina Lee of Whale Coast Conservation, Pat Redford of the HBAG, and Mary-Ann Verster and Di Marais of the Hermanus Botanical Society at the handover of the funds raised through the sale of Good for Chaz! PHOTO: Hedda Mittner
children from four years (to be read to) up to around 10 years (for reading, comprehension and colouring in) can also be used for interactive awareness programmes in local schools. Released at the end of last year, the aim of this project was also to serve as a fundraiser for the benefit of local environmental organisations, namely the Hermanus Botanical Society and Whale Coast Conservation, both worthy organisations
who do so much to preserve the FNR and its wildlife and flora. Copies of Good for Chaz! are still available from the Fernkloof Nursery (in FNR) and Whale Coast Conservation, or from local shops: The Book Cottage, bookmark, Kidz Stuff and Trendy Tots. For more information, Pat Redford can be contacted on info@hermanusbaboons. co.za or 082 908 4002.
3
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
Bush babies of the Kogelberg Writer Elaine Davie Photographer Taylum Meyer
T
he 50 pupils of Pringle House Eco School must be amongst the luckiest in the country. Sheltering under tall trees on the slopes of the Kogelberg Mountains, with the village of Pringle Bay across the valley and the ocean beyond, the little school is as much a living organism in the landscape as the fynbos. Just as in nature, nothing is regimented at the school; the buildings, originally a farm house with outbuildings, have grown haphazardly, with classrooms springing up around the grounds like mushrooms. One has progressed no further than the foundations and a concrete slab, but is put to good use nevertheless. The children, from age 18 months to Grade 6 do not wear uniforms and easily blend into their natural surroundings. As the school enters its 14th year, the Head, Heather Miller, who has been there for four years, is hoping for a less disruptive year than 2020. Having previously taught at big schools in Durban and Johannesburg, she can’t believe her luck at landing up at Pringle House Eco School. “When I tell my former colleagues that I have to dodge guinea fowl and tortoises on my way to work, they don’t believe me,” she laughs. The school did not start off in its present location, though. It began in January 2008 on the verandah of Jo Alves’ house in Pringle Bay, with five pupils. As more and more young people moved into the neighbouring villages in search of a more peaceful environment for their children to grow up in, the demand grew for a local primary school. Soon the numbers had grown to 21, including learners from Betty’s Bay, Rooiels and even Gordon’s Bay, and larger premises were required. It finally ended up in its present location, after first occupying a building in central Pringle Bay. “From the beginning the school was enthusiastically adopted by the community and we get the most incredible support not only from the parents, but from the entire community,” says Heather. Registered as an
independent school and an NPO, it receives no government subsidy, but has recently been allocated a PBO number, which confers Section 18A tax exemption on donors. Although the school fees are not high, some parents are struggling financially as a result of economic fallout from the pandemic. Sustainability is a constant headache for the school and a further concern is that the property they are renting is on the market.
ABOVE: One of explorer Riaan Manser’s expedition boats has been transformed into a sandpit, offering marvellous opportunities for imaginary adventures.
“This is such a perfect place for our children that it would be a major crisis if it were sold,” says Heather. “We are praying that some generous Fairy Godmother or –father will appear out of nowhere and buy it for us,” she laughs. “Because of course, in addition to the government’s CAPS curriculum, we also place strong emphasis on skills development and, as a registered Eco School, environmental education. Our children love coming to school. Every day is an adventure for them; they learn by doing, and personally experiencing the world around them. With so few children enrolled, two grades share a classroom and a teacher, but even so, the numbers are small enough for each child to receive personal attention, which is why even pupils with learning difficulties flourish here.” In fact, the school is like a large extended family. The younger children benefit from doing things with the older children and everyone gets involved with projects like feeding their compost heap, recycling and gardening in their veggie tunnel, where they are presently growing gooseberries and a variety of chilli species with great success, as well as herbs, onions and potatoes. It’s a great thrill for the children to harvest and eat the produce they grow and the plan is for them to start selling some of the veggies, too. They also focus strongly on arts and crafts which are incorporated into the daily programme. So music (including a drumming circle), drama, poetry and art are also used as teaching tools for other subjects. But the best day of the week for the majority of the children is Eco Fri- day when the really fun things happen. Each of the special environmental days, like Wetlands Day, Whale Day, or Polar Bear Day are celebrated with appropriate activities and themed lessons. The children
LEFT: A teddy almost his size. The Nursery is a bright, safe, colourful space crammed with toys for the littlies between 18 months and 3 years.
CUTOUT: Drumming is one of the pupils’ favourite activities, developing a sense of rhythm and co-ordination.
RIGHT: The office of School Head, Heather Miller is a fun place, reflecting the school’s aim to encourage creativity and freedom of expression. also get involved in beach clean-ups and alien hacks and often just go on rambles to see what plants, insects, birds and animals they can find in the bush. Guest speakers are invited to talk to them on topics like baboons, the birds of the area and the seal colony at Rooiels. Probably the most popular, and regular, speaker of all is explorer, Riaan Manser, whose little boy is at the school. The children hang on his every word as he regales them with tales of his many expeditions on land and sea. In fact, the school is very proud to have been given one of Riaan’s boats, which has been converted into a sandpit in the playground. How, one wonders, does the school manage to get through its normal curriculum with so much else going on? “The thing is,” Heather explains, “with such small classes, the learning
process is intensive, so the children tend to get through the work more quickly than those in larger classes. One thing we’re very proud of is how favourably our children measure up at other schools after they leave us. We’re also really happy about how self-confident they are, with creative thinking and problem-solving skills above average.” Heather and her Board have all kinds of plans for developing the school, but everything of course depends on the availability of funds. So step up, Fairy Godperson, they await your arrival. In the meantime, look out for the school’s proudly waving eco flag on the slopes of the Kogelberg. For further information, Heather can be contacted on heather@pringlehouse.org or visit the school’s facebook page.
4
www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR
17 February 2021
Let’s focus on the light
Undoubtedly the past year has seen the biggest changes to our daily lives any of us has experienced in such a short time. The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in ways we could never have foreseen and according to some experts the hangover of the pandemic will be with us for at least the next seven years. But it’s not only the big things that have changed. There have been so many little things we had to adapt to and that we now take for granted – like the little bottle of emergency hand sanitiser that has found its way into our
handbags and cubbyholes. We could never have anticipated that we would take much care in choosing our mask every morning as we do the clothes, shoes or tie we wear. It would be interesting to see if the familiar pair of socks for dad on Father’s Day will be replaced by a snazzy three-layer mask. Did you ever think that seeing someone wearing a stylish mask would induce a sudden twinge of mask envy? Come on, who has not felt that? As the country went into lockdown for
NEWS De Waal Steyn
PUBLISHING EDITOR T: 083 700 3319
E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
Hedda Mittner
CONTENT EDITOR T: 083 645 3928
E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
Raphael da Silva ONLINE EDITOR T: 074 125 5854
E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za
Elaine Davie
JOURNALIST T: 084 343 7500
E: elaine@thevillagenews.co.za Taylum Meyer PRODUCTION MANAGER, PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN T: 084 564 0779
Yes, there is much doubt and confusion with regards to vaccines and their effectiveness. There is concern over the South African variant that is much more transmissible than the one that set foot in our country in March last year. There are also huge challenges that we will continue to face on the economic front. Scientists are working around the clock to adapt the vaccines fairly quickly to be more effective against the various variants – one of the many advantages the brand-new mRNA vaccines offer developers.
And as the new normal keeps on making permanent changes to the way we live, we also need to understand that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Later this week the provincial government will, during the State of the Province Address, outline their next steps to boost the economy to stimulate job creation. This is the good NEWS - Ed
The Sci-fi Circus and Fluid Flirtations
THE VILLAGE
WhatsApp or SMS your stories and photos to 083 700 3319
the first time, it was generally expected that within a few weeks this would all be over. But then the reality struck, and many families sat around dinner tables at night wondering whose upcoming birthday would be celebrated while still in lockdown. Little did we know that little over a month from now, all of us would have celebrated a birthday in lockdown.
In the end the aim of vaccines is to stop people from developing severe illness or being hospitalised, in an effort to lessen the load on overworked hospital staff. In addition to the vaccines, it is now evident that following the basic rules of wearing a mask, staying away from crowded spaces, maintaining social distance and regularly using sanitisers or washing your hands are effective in bringing the number of infections down.
By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com
Bob was seriously un-chuffed. This defeated the object of the project altogether. He felt that he’d been taken for a ride, but he wasn’t finished yet. The final doccie/book is called UFOs: Past, Present and Future, and being a film-maker in Hollywood had its perks. He just happened to show his book – over a few sundowners – to a chap called Steven.
Nixon’s inner circle. They were ushered into a bug-proof room where they received their secret briefing…
T
he For Fact’s Sake columns are, according to Google and The Duck ‘n Fiddle’s archives, based in truth.
They saw what? For over 60 years, many movies have been made about man’s interaction with alien beings, either here on earth, or out in the dark emptiness of space. They’ve been clumped together as ‘Sci-fi’ movies, and blockbusters like Star Wars, Star Trek and ET, among others, have had us enthralled for decades. Many of those amazing ‘supernatural’ gadgets and concepts portrayed back then are realities today. Top scientists in projects involving inter-planetary exploration and potential interaction with ‘other-worldly’ beings, operate with technologies 50 years ahead of what we’re allowed to know. One wonders if some Hollywood film producers had an inside track with a few of these scientific types, because they obviously didn’t just thumb-suck things like death rays, anti-gravity propulsion, harnessing electro-magnetic energy, skin-tight armoured bodysuits or teleportation (beam me up, Snotty). Anyway, meet Bob Emenegger, a Hollywood film director / producer / composer / writer. In 1972 he and producer Allan Sandler were approached by a consortium of high-ranking scientists and top officials from the CIA, the military, and
An increasing amount of UFO activity was being reported across the globe since Roswell. Not only was the cat out the bag, but the whole litter was emerging, so the USA administration decided to ‘come clean’ and shoot a doccie to educate the population about the realities of UFOs – and please not to panic. Nixon reckoned that as the free-world leader, revealing the truth under his watch would boost his chances of re-election.
In the final scene of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg reproduced – with CGI – exactly what Bob saw in the original CIA footage. One wonders how long these movies will still be regarded as science fiction.
Bob and Alan were granted unrestricted access to military and scientific files, and were even shown 16mm footage and stills of ‘beings’ and alien space-crafts. For security reasons, they were told this footage would only be released for the final edit, so in the meantime artists re-created detailed images of what Bob saw in the clips. These graphics were interspersed between interviews with military officials, religious leaders, scientists and actual abductees.
Ludicrous liquids If you baulk at paying R1 000 for a bottle of wine, or R1 500 for single-malt whiskey, there are other liquids available that’ll make your nose bleed. Chanel No.5, for example, is the most expensive perfume ever produced, some of which sells for $6 900 per litre. And, as we all know, with a low insulin count, the body can be prone to diabetes or metabolic syndrome, among other diseases, so why not splash out for a litre of insulin, just in case – only $26,400.
The doccie reaches its ‘grand finale’ scene when an egg-shaped space-ship lands at Holloman Airbase, New Mexico in 1964. A sliding door opens, a ramp appears, and out walk aliens, met by military top brass – all beautifully rendered by the artists.
Then there’s the semen from a gold medal-winning race horse which comes in at a bile-curdling $4,7 million for 5 litres! One can only congratulate the horse. But scorpion venom, used to treat autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, costs an eye-watering $10,3 million a litre.
As it turned out, the actual footage of that historic meeting was denied at the last minute for ‘political’ reasons – Nixon was already in deep water. The final ‘meeting’ sequence showed only the animated artist’s impressions with the narrator asking, “What if this were true?”
So don’t get sick. And savour those eye-drops – they’re over R70 for only 10ml.
E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za
Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974
FORECASTS: HERMANUS, OVERBERG
5 Proudly sponsored by Talisman Tool Hire Hermanus
LEGEND / KEY
Wed | 17 Feb
Thu | 18 Feb
Fri | 19 Feb
Sat | 20 Feb
Sun | 21 Feb
Mon | 22 Feb
Tue | 23 Feb
E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za
Wind
ADMIN & FINANCE
Sunrise/set
16°/23° Clear
18/19° Some Rain
17°/20° Partly Cloudy
18°/20° Mostly Clear
17°/20° Mostly Clear
17°/24° Clear
18°/24° Clear
18km/h
18km/h
21km/h
21km/h
29km/h
21km/h
36km/h
06:19/19:33
06:20/19:32
06:21/19:31
06:22/19:30
06:23/19:29
06:24/19:28
06:25/19:27
E: admin@thevillagenews.co.za
www.issuu.com/dwaal
www.thevillagenews.co.za
Tides
De Bos Dam 88.31% Last week 89.24% Weekly Rainfall 5mm Last week 1mm
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
00:06 06:22 12:37 18:36
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
00:35 06:54 13:13 19:11
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
01:09 07:32 14:00 20:03
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
01:59 08:31 15:22 21:44
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
03:41 10:22 17:24 23:56
LOW HIGH LOW
05:51 12:06 18:42
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
01:02 07:00 13:06 19:29
5
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
Surviving the grip of Covid-19
We all heard the news reports about how the healthcare system was struggling to cope, how our hospitals were filled to capacity, how many doctors and medical personnel were either sick or in quarantine, leaving healthcare facilities understaffed and those able to work under immense pressure. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be spared the experience of Covid-19, could only imagine what it was like to have actually lived through those frightening weeks. “When I received my positive test result on 15 December, I was almost relieved. I just thought: Okay, so I have it now,” says Dr Wendy Cooke who, as a medical doctor, always had a higher than average chance of contracting the disease via a patient. She admits that, as a 65-year-old woman with comorbidities (overweight and diabetic) it was a scary diagnosis, and she was “terrified” about infecting her 86-yearold husband. “Also, my mom had died of Covid pneumonia in June and it did make me very aware of my own mortality. Despite being a very positive person, I couldn’t help thinking, ‘What if?’ The news definitely knocked me sideways.” With the new Coronavirus mutation, Wendy says the symptoms are different to those produced by the original variant. “I experienced the same fatigue but had less respiratory symptoms and more nausea and diarrhoea.” A colleague took charge of her treatment, which included Vitamin C, D and Zinc supplements, plenty of fluids and a low dosage anticoagulant. Wendy also had an oximeter so that she could keep an eye on her oxygen levels.
Wendy says it was a huge relief when she started feeling better and was able to eat a little fruit and yoghurt. “I was listening to music in my bed and when I noticed my toes ‘dancing’, I knew I had turned a corner.” She was discharged after a week in hospital but even when she was back at home, she says she was very weak and mostly just slept for the next two weeks. It would be six weeks until she could return to work, even just for a few hours a day. What she is most thankful for is that her husband never contracted the disease.
“
Regardless of the tremendous pressure they were working under, no one complained; they were always friendly and encouraging. They made me feel safe and cared for.
“
W
hile the number of Covid-19 infections is coming down and we seem to be over the worst of the second wave that crept up on us over the festive season, the second round of South Africa’s bout against the Coronavirus has left many people shaken. It felt different to the first round; this time, most of us personally knew people who had become sick – neighbours, friends, colleagues, family members – and even some who died.
“For the first few days I was doing OK, but the nausea kept getting worse and I couldn’t keep anything down. I felt absolutely terrible. I was put on a drip and anti-nausea medication but by the sixth day I realised that I really needed help. My colleague called the Mediclinic and fortunately they had a bed available. I don’t remember much about the first three days in hospital as I just slept all the time. By then I had a high fever and was often delirious. It was a very scary time and I thought of my mother, wondering if I would be next. I was treated with Dexamethasone and put on low-flow oxygen but fortunately I did not develop serious breathing problems.”
Wendy says the doctors and hospital staff certainly had their hands full during the festive season. “I know more than a dozen doctors who got really sick; also nursing staff, physiotherapists and social workers… everyone was doing their best to cope under very difficult circumstances.”
Another resident who has nothing but high praise for the care he received is Minister Michiel de Kock of the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus. He and his wife Dawn both contract-
ed Covid-19 just before Christmas, after being in contact with someone who later informed them that they’d tested positive. Although neither of them felt sick at the time, Michiel and Dawn went to the hospital to be tested. By the time they got their results two days later – both positive – Michiel says he had a slight headache and a sore throat. It was 24 December and with several Christmas services ahead, Michiel had to delegate to a colleague and stay in isolation at home with Dawn, who fortunately never developed any serious symptoms. Her husband’s condition, however, went downhill very fast. “On Christmas Day I didn’t feel well at all. I had no appetite – even my son’s chicken pie, my favourite, couldn’t tempt me – and all I wanted to do was sleep,” says Michiel. Within two days he was dehydrated and his oxygen levels had dropped so low that he became disorientated. “Dawn and I both realised that I was in crisis and she called the hospital. We were told that there was a two-hour waiting list and I remember that time sitting in the car in the hospital parking lot on a hot day as the worst part of the whole experience.” By then the Mediclinic was filled to capacity and a sister first came to the car to enquire about Michiel’s symptoms. She then told him that there were other sick people she also had to assess before deciding who to admit. “I certainly would not have wanted her job,” says Michiel who, despite his own unbearable misery, could still sympathise with the impossible choices the sister had to make that day. Fortunately she came back to the car and said he was sicker than the others and would be admitted to the emergency room. “The relief I felt when I was lowered onto a bed in that cool, clean ER is indescribable,” says Michiel. “I immediately felt calm and knew I was in safe hands as they put me on a drip, started to administer oxygen, and took blood tests and X-rays of my lungs. I don’t remember much about being taken to my ward, except for a doctor telling me I was very sick.” Michiel has almost no recollection about the next few days, but he does
remember an incident that left an indelible mark on his soul. A staff member had brought him a glass of fresh water when she noticed tears on his cheeks. “I’m just crying a little bit,” he told her meekly, upon which she fetched a paper towel and gently wiped his tears away. In that moment, in all his frailty, he felt God’s presence in a profound way, says Michiel.
“
Non-compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing really upsets me and encouraging people not to have the vaccine is equally ludicrous.
“
Writer Hedda Mittner
He also recalls another staff member who sponged him down and remade his bed when his sheets were soaked from the high fever he was running, and yet another who helped him to have his first shower when he was too weak to stand on his own two feet. “I felt such gratitude towards these angels,” he says. “Regardless of the tremendous pressure they were working under, no one ever complained; they were always friendly and encouraging. They made me feel safe and cared for.” Although Michiel still required freeflow oxygen for a total of 12 days, there was such a shortage of beds in the Mediclinic that he agreed after a week to be transferred to SpesCare in Stellenbosch, where he spent a further two weeks receiving treatment while recuperating. “I didn’t want to leave what had become my ‘safe space’ but hospital beds were desperately needed and I realised it was a sacrifice I needed to make,” he says. The road to recovery has been a long one and Michiel is just thankful that cognitive tests carried out at SpesCare confirmed that he did not suffer any permanent brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. “I have so much gratitude for God,” he says, “and for all the people who supported me through my illness, especially my physician and my wife Dawn, for whom this was a very traumatic experience. I have
truly experienced the community of the faithful – through countless calls, messages, prayers, gifts and visits…” Wendy says she, too, was overwhelmed by the love and support she received from friends and neighbours during her illness. “I was gobsmacked by the many ways in which they helped me and also took care of my husband and our dogs while I was in hospital. This experience has really made me appreciate what I have in life; it’s the small things we often overlook that become most important.” With so many people suffering, not only from illness but also job losses, stress, anxiety and poverty, Wendy says this pandemic has made many of us stop and think about how we as human beings had lost our humanity. She urges people to do the right thing and keep everyone safe by adhering to the Covid-19 precautions. “Non-compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing really upsets me,” she says, “and encouraging people not to have the vaccine is equally ludicrous. As a doctor I have seen what terrible damage something as preventable as measles can do to a child. There is so much misinformation about vaccines out there that feeds on people’s fears. “It is essential for everyone to be vaccinated, especially healthcare workers. One always hears about doctors’ responsibilities and patients’ rights, but doctors also have rights and patients also have responsibilities.” Michiel, who still does his breathing exercises and goes for regular walks that are getting longer as his condition improves, also says there are too many people who don’t take this pandemic seriously. “There are still people who don’t realise it’s not only about protecting yourself but protecting other innocent people. How can there still be people who protest about their “right” not to wear a mask? How can anyone be that selfish?” I suppose it’s easy to be reckless for those who have not been personally affected, who have not battled the disease or lost a loved one to it. But the pandemic is not over and there are simple steps that we can all take to limit the spread. It’s not a big ask – simply think a little less about yourself and a little more about your fellow human beings.
Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer This past week I was again reminded of the devastating effects of oral cancer (OC) when I consulted a young woman who developed OC at the young age of 19. Over the past months I also had the unpleasant task to inform two older patients that samples I had taken from their tongues were oral cancers. Both had seen a clinician only months earlier, who diagnosed Potentially Malignant Disorder (PMD), but did not place them on a follow-up monitoring programme. So what is a PMD and why is it so important to be monitored regularly? The World Health Organisation classifies all oral lesions with early abnormal changes as PMD. This implies that these lesions may de-
velop into OC. PMD lesions present as white or red areas in the mouth. The only way to monitor the behaviour of these lesions is to see a patient every 3 – 4 months and perform a detailed oral examination. It is not possible to determine whether a lesion is OC without a pathologist examining a sample of the lesion under a microscope. In the case of the two elderly patients above, both had seen a clinician only months earlier, without taking a follow-up sample for the pathologist or placing them on a follow-up monitoring programme. Both patients lost half their tongues and had to undergo extensive surgery to try and save their lives, followed by radiation to control
any potential spread. Had samples been taken earlier, their lives would have been very different today. To diagnose a lesion, a small injection is required, a small sample is taken, and the answer is received within days. If it is a PMD, strict monitoring is required. If it is already OC, the patient is referred to a surgeon to remove the cancer, whereafter strict 3-monthly monitoring is required for life. Early diagnosis can be lifesaving, but only about 57% of oral cancer patients survive 5 years. This is due to the lesions not being detected early enough or samples not taken of all white and red lesions during follow-up. This is essential for young and old patients.
www.thevillagenews.co.za
LOCKDOWN LEVEL:
LEV
COVID-19 DASHBOARD OVERSTRAND
6
3
EL
TOTAL CASES AS OF 8 FEB 2021:
OVERSTRAND BREAKDOWN OF CASES: TOTAL (ACTIVE)
WORLD: 109 505 562 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 491 807 WESTERN CAPE: 272 302 (18.25% of cases in SA) OVERBERG: 13 121
• FISHERHAVEN: 43 (3) • GANSBAAI: 180 (4) • HAWSTON: 435 (9) • HERMANUS: 714 (19) • KLEINMOND: 667 (16)
17 February 2021 LAST WEEK'S TOTAL CASES:
• MT PLEASANT: 353 (5) • ONRUS: 201 (5) • SANDBAAI: 214 (2) • STANFORD: 376 (4) • VERMONT: 91 (2) • ZWELIHLE: 1 079 (8)
(8 FEB)
WORLD: 106 783 422 SOUTH AFRICA: 1 476 135 (15th in the world) WESTERN CAPE: 269 833 OVERBERG: 13 021 (445 deaths) OVERSTRAND: 4 910 (133 deaths)
TOTAL: 4 947 (82)
LET'S TALK
Inclusive solution needed for Cliff Path Walking next to the busiest road in town is no alternative to walking next to the sea. The unique layout of our town funnels all vehicular and pedestrian traffic within millimetres from one another along Main Road between Sea Road and Mollergren Park. It doesn’t make sense not to allow pedestrians to walk next to the sea, especially when there is no other alternative, no other quiet road, for them to use but the narrow sidewalk of Main Road. Four years ago, the Cliff Path Action Group (CPAG) started a community driven and funded process to address this issue. With hindsight, very naively we thought continuing the cliff path along Poole’s Bay would be a wonderful contribution to our town and resolve the matter once and for all. We approached the issue by encouraging people to walk along an informal footpath along the coastline of Poole’s Bay and engaging in a formal Environmental Impact Assessment to analyse the viability of continuing the cliff path along Poole’s Bay. Not only has Hermanus evolved from a fishing village to a coastal holiday destination, but the surrounds have exploded into a world-class wine
industry. Yet, we fail to address the issue of pedestrian access between the historical town centre and our beaches in the context of a modern Hermanus. We call on the owners of the 13 properties in Poole’s Bay to engage in meaningful discussions and address this issue to find solutions rather than sidestepping the issue with a Save our Shores campaign (The Village News 10 Feb 2021, P12). The owners of land on Poole’s Bay are claiming the area is a pristine eco-sensitive bay in desperate need of being preserved as the last example of a sensitive inter-tidal zone along the Walker Bay coastline. There is little evidence of the claim that Poole’s Bay is a “rare undisturbed stretch of coastline protected from human disruption”. Apart from various concrete pipelines in the area, which are the remains of a redundant pool pump station where waste was pumped directly into the sea, there is the continued maintenance of the tidal pool, managed as a swimming pool, as well as an artificial lawn area in front of Bay View (well below the high-water mark). Bricks regularly wash up, all because of the ruins of the old Bay View Hotel,
Planet models should be treasured I was sickened and horrified to read about the vandals who have done their best to destroy the planet models on the Cliff Path. Members of the Hermanus Astronomy Centre Committee by hard work and expertise have given our community a treasure, which should be appreciated.
I don’t expect any of the vandals will read this letter, but if they do I would remind them that the first Vandals were part of the barbarian hordes, who overcame the Romans and destroyed their civilisation. Is it a good idea to emulate barbarians? Margaret Hart Voëlklip
which were used as landfill. Poachers lived for many months undisturbed in an abandoned hut on the water’s edge pilfering the last perlemoen. The “critically endangered ecosystem” is overgrown with various invasive alien species like statices. It is therefore difficult to observe the results of any of this so-called deep-rooted conservation attitude in action. Poole’s Bay is not unique in its claim to be part of a Marine Protected Area and Critically Endangered Ecosystem. This is also valid for the entire area between the New Harbour and Grotto where the rest of the cliff path exists.
We need to figure out a way forward. There are various alternatives, including that most of the route remains an informal hiking trail like the popular waterfall hike at Vogelgat, or that a path be built that is not dependent on the tides, or a path that makes provision for wheelchair access, as the municipality insisted happen at Fick’s Pool.
The homeowners of Poole’s Bay claim that access has always been permitted to the public. However this is simply not true. Our best efforts this season to introduce people to the joys of the informal hiking trail along the coastline of Poole’s Bay were short-lived.
The CPAG has appointed an Environmental Assessment Practitioner according to regulatory requirements to conduct a transparent and objective investigation of the impacts associated with the proposal to connect the two parts of the Cliff Path along Poole’s Bay. At this stage we are in the pre-application phase of the Basic Assessment Process. This process involves the incorporation of input from authorities, specialists, interested and affected parties, as well as the public.
All 70 route markers were very quickly pulled out. Why? To save the shores or to display a continued intolerance of sharing the shore with fellow ratepayers? Notices of CPAG have been removed and replaced by an inhouse Save our Shores campaign. Should both notices not be displayed so that the public can make up their own mind?
To date heritage, avian and freshwater studies have been conducted and have not flagged anything of significant concern. The approach currently followed is a comprehensive investigation making provision for a complete Cliff Path connection from where the path abruptly turns away from the sea at Sea Road, to where it continues at the eastern side of Mollergren Park.
This way every metre of Poole’s Bay falls under investigation, thereby pre-empting any questions that may arise at a later stage when only selective parts are investigated for possible construction. For information and to follow the EIA process, please visit www.ecosense.co.za/2020/11/pooles-bay-connection-path-hermanus (scroll down to the bottom of the page to leave a comment and / or register to receive future correspondence on the process). Alternatively, send Kozette Myburgh, Environmental Practitioner of Ecosense, an email at kozette@ ecosense.co.za At this stage, the 14-point claim to “stop the destruction” only affirms the ongoing attempt to keep pedestrians out of Poole’s Bay. We are not trespassers, thieves, anarchists or environmentally insensitive people. We are fellow ratepayers who are concerned for our safety and that of tourists. There is no doubt that construction activities in an environmentally sensitive area need to be addressed with great caution. It is for this very reason that the decision was taken to consult an independent environmental practice to guide the process with specialised studies and recommendations. The Cliff Path Action Group Team
With this image, ‘To the centre’, Elizma Fourie of the Hermanus Photographic Society was the first runner-up in the PSSA’s monthly website competition that was judged in December-January. Elizma also has the 3rd highest cumulative score In the PSSA website competition – and she is no. 1 in the Western Cape. Congratulations to Elizma, and also to the Hermanus Photographic Society, which is the log leader (and 6th nationally) of the senior club competition in the Western Cape.
WHAT’S ON
OVERBERG 19
Friday
Life between the tides Join Whale Coast Conservation for this popular beach adventure, suitable for the whole family. Explore the inter-tidal zone and examine who eats who in this challenging environment. There won't be much walking, but prepare to get wet. R120 for adults, R60 for children and R300 for families of 4. To book, contact anina. wcc@gmail.com. All proceeds go to environmental education. Grotto Beach | 14:30 – 16:00 Wine Down Friday Celebrate that TGIF feeling at The Wine Glass at the end of a busy week! Enjoy the vibe and get two for the price of one on selected wines, beers and nibbles. Book via www.thewineglass.guru or call 082 082 0007. The Wine Glass, 2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 16:00 – 18:00 Bottomless Bubbles Fridays Start the weekend in style at the iconic Marine Hotel with bottomless bubbles from L’Ormarins and chef’s welcome canapés at R185 pp, every Friday this November. Booking is essential on 028 313 1000 or bookings@themarine.co.za. The Marine | 17:00 – 19:00
20
Saturday
Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals. Young, old, two-legged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find wholesome goodies, homemade crafts, local produce, beers and wine, speciality foods, coffee and live music. Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 13:00 Stanford Saturday Morning Market Come and sample the artisanal
delights on display, from home-made sheep and goats’ cheeses to woodfired ciabattas, pastries and pies, farm-fresh vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, preserves and deli delights (including gluten-free, wheatfree and vegan goodies) to tantalise your taste buds! #Nomasksnoservice. Stanford Hotel Stoep | 09:00 – 12:00 Junktique Market One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Pop in and give new life to a previously loved item. Treats and nibbles also available. R50 per stall. To book contact 028 341 0340 or book@ stanfordinfo.co.za. Stanford Tourism Office Courtyard | 09:00 – 12:00 Gansbaai Farmers’ Market Specialising in fresh produce, homebaked foods, and crafts. Come and enjoy entertainment and refreshments at this popular kuierplek. For enquiries, contact 028 384 1439 or doulene@gansbaaitourism.co.za Kapokblom Street, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 13:00 Panthera Sunset Visit Enjoy a unique experience by visiting Panthera Africa’s big cats at sunset, when they come alive after a long day of rest. Your passionate host will take you around to the big cat enclosures and tell you their heartfelt stories, and how they came to be at this non-profit sanctuary. Only for people 16 years and older. Pre-booking on 071 182 8368 is essential. Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary (near Stanford | 17:00 – 19:00
21
Sunday
Takura Terry Live Head to the Waterfront piazza where Takura Terry will rock you with his popular afro-folk-blues tunes, including your favourite covers and original songs. No charge. Hermanus Waterfront | from 12:00
25
Thursday
Nataniel & Charl du Plessis in concert Hermanus FynArts 2021 presents two performances featuring songs, old and new, evergreen and original, jazz, blues, pop and melancholic, always surprising. Nataniël’s trademark fantastical stories will be in English and Afrikaans. No children under 15. All Covid protocols with be strictly adhered to. Make your booking (R280 pp for the matinee and R300 pp for the evening) by contacting admin@ hermanusfynarts.co.za or 060 957 5371. Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus | 15:00 & 18:00
26
Friday
Stanford Sunset Market Stanford's favourite, family-friendly, dog-friendly market is reopening! Bringing local food, coffee, deli products, gifts, plants, fresh produce and live tunes to the heritage market square on the last Friday of the month. Pop in, meet new people, hook up with old friends, support local vendors, and take delicious food
19 – 27 FEBRUARY 2021 www.thevillagenews.co.za/whatson home for the whole weekend. Free entrance and plenty of free parking. Please wear a mask and follow Covid protocols of social distancing. Stanford Market Square | 18:00 – 20:00 (in the event of rain, the venue will be at Birkenhead Brewery)
27
Saturday
Stanford MTB Classic This year’s Stanford MTB Classic will take on the popular guided ride format which was used for last year’s De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience. Three distance options: 85km Ultra Marathon (R850), 50km XCM (R650) and 25km Fun Ride (R450). Enter at www. entryninja.com. All entries include a burger and a beer (optional dinner at Manor House Restaurant). For more information visit www.overbergmtbevents.co.za or contact 084 228 0414. Stanford Valley Guest Farm | 07:00
Hiram Koopman & Friends Join Bartho Eksteen and family on their farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with the super-talented saxophonist, Hiram Koopman, of ‘Die Heuwels Fantasties’ fame for a day of old-fashioned hospitality, fabulous music, great food and a superb variety of wines. Safety precautions and social distancing protocols will be observed at this open-air performance. Tickets are R350 pp. To book a spot contact mana@hermanus.co.za or call 072 323 5060. Bartho Eksteen Wines, Hemel-enAarde Valley | 16:00
Charl du Plessis – All of Me Hermanus FynArts is proud to present two more performances featuring this celebrated Steinway Artist. ‘All of Me’ celebrates the world of classical, jazz, boogie-woogie and blues piano as well as the intricate art of improvisation. All Covid protocols with be strictly adhered to. Book your tickets at R225 pp by contacting admin@hermanusfynarts.co.za or 060 957 5371. Dutch Reformed Church, Onrus | 11:00 & 14:00
READ US ONLINE... www.thevillagenews.co.za www.issuu.com/dwaal
8
17 February 2021
www.thevillagenews.co.za
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
A special harvest for Bartho Eksteen Wines T
he 2021 harvest kicked off with great excitement at Bartho Eksteen’s farm in Hemel-enAarde Valley on 2 February, which was not only the date that Jan van Riebeeck diarised as the day on which the first wine was made in the Cape 362 years ago but also the birthday of Bartho’s son, Pieter Willem, who is following in his famous father’s winemaking steps. In fact, winemaking at the Eksteen farm is very much a family affair, with Pieter Willem’s Argentinian wife, Sol Yerden also having joined the winemaking team, while Bartho’s wife, Suné has become the master of the culinary side of the brand, under the name, Maná. Then there’s their daughter Shani, a teacher at Hermanus Pre-Primary, who happily rolled up her sleeves to join in the first day of harvesting. What made this event even more special, is that they were picking the farm’s maiden Pinot Noir. Since settling on the farm in 2015, the Eksteens have transformed this once derelict property into a welcoming home, winery, tasting venue and deli. Apart from his vineyards near Afdaksrivier, Bartho has planted 13 ha on the farm to almost every variety under the sun, including Sauvignon
Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre… and small pockets of Pinotage, Roobernet and Nouvelle for his ‘Professore’ red blend, the first of its kind in the world. Bartho is a strong believer that a winemaker should spend as much time as possible in the vineyard during harvest. Although he is optimistic about this year’s harvest, he sees the challenges of every vintage as a character-building process that keeps you humble and on your knees. When he’s not in the vineyard he’s in the cellar with his team, pressing and punching down – or, as he likes to put it, Ons roer die potte! At Maná visitors can enjoy Suné’s unique interpretation of local, seasonal farm fare experienced with Bartho’s expertly crafted wines – and unpretentious, old-fashioned hospitality. The deli is stocked with seasonal veggies from the farm and homemade pickles, preserves, fresh and baked goods to fill your picnic basket or take home. Extensive gardens with private, open-air picnic areas, short forest hiking trails and a boule court complete this happy picture. For more information, visit barthoeksteen. co.za or call 072 323 5060. – Hedda Mittner
RIGHT: Bartho mixes his ‘Professore’ red blend – consisting of Pinotage, Roobernet and Nouvelle – the first of its kind in the world. FAR RIGHT: Arno Conradie, Shani Eksteen’s future husband, holding their dog Allie who frequently visits the farm. BOTTOM RIGHT: Hendré empties grapes from the press under the watchful eye of one of the friendly farm dogs. BELOW: Arno Conradie (Bartho’s future son-in-law), Bartho Eksteen and Pieter Willem Eksteen load a new batch of grapes into the press. BOTTOM: Some of Bartho's wines.
PHOTO: Bartho Wines
ABOVE: Bartho Eksteen enthusiastically tips a crate of grapes into the press. For two hours, the press will extract the juice, leaving behind the skins and any grapes that were not ripe yet. BELOW LEFT: Shani Eksteen picks the maiden Pinot Noir grapes on the family’s farm. BELOW RIGHT: Pieter Willem Eksteen empties pressed grapes into a container to be disposed of. CIRCLE: Bartho Eksteen offers wine tasting at their farm in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer PHOTO: Supplied
Hemel & Aarde
Place: Hemel & Aarde Bartho Eksteen Date: 27 February 2021 Time: 16:00 Price: R350 per person Bookings: mana@hermanus.co.za / 072 323 5060
Picnic Hampers, Bartho Eksteen wines, Old Harbour beers & non-alcoholic beverages available to purchase
This is an open-air performance - safety precautions and social distancing will be observed
Bookings: mana@hermanus.co.za / 072 323 5060
WHAT'S COOKING
WINE & DINE
MY WELLNESS
Albertyn
A child’s best friend
G
eneration Schools Hermanus has welcomed a new addition to their team: Jasmine, a Toy Poodle puppy, to help pupils deal with anxiety and stress. Owned by one of the high school lecturers, Monica White, Jasmine began her introduction at the school on 25 January and has already brought great joy to staff and children alike.
caring for you
Arriving at the school as a 10-week-old puppy in January, Monica says that Jasmine has settled well. “All the children have had the opportunity to meet Jasmine and ask as many questions as they want. The most popular question is, ‘Why is she so cute?’”
Monica adds that there is also evidence that children who struggle with managing emotions gain a great deal from spending time with therapy animals.
Asana Miles adoring Jasmine, a 10-week-old Toy Poodle and the school’s soon-to-be therapy dog. The learners at Generation Hermanus love having little Jasmine around the school. PHOTO: Claire Laing
Rotary Club Family Health Day “The Covid-19 pandemic not only put a halt to many events but has also affected so many lives. People have lost family members, friends and colleagues, and we also lost fellow Rotarians,” says Dr.Ferdi Marais of the Hermanus Rotary Club. Although the club’s annual Family Health Day of 2020 could not be held in the usual way and had to be postponed until last week, Rotary used this opportunity to recognise the hard work of all our healthcare workers, nursing professionals, ancillary workers, NGOs and volunteers, many of whom also paid the highest price in their line of duty. “The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse. It was also the year that Florence Nightingale would have celebrated her 200th
Tel: 028 271 4666 Fax: 028 271 4665 WhatsApp: 079 387 2650 Email: albertyn@netactive.co.za
Vir vriendelike diens!
“I have had many animals over the years and when we considered getting a new puppy, I asked my lovely new HOC (Head of Campus, Nikki Malcomess) if I could bring it into school as a school dog, bringing joy and perhaps acting as a therapy dog to the children,” says Monica.
As well as being a friendly face to all, Jasmine will play a key role at the school, doubling up as an unofficial therapy dog. Research has shown that therapy dogs are a great calming influence for children and adults who may be anxious or in distress.
11
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
birthday,” says Ferdi. “Each club in the Rotary District 9350 was requested to arrange their own event and, after discussions with Sr Anita Rust of the Department of Health, we decided it would be best under the circumstances if the Rotary Club of Hermanus awarded a laminated Certificate of Recognition, containing the Nurse’s Pledge, to each of the five clinics in the Overstrand. We also presented each clinic with engraved coffee mugs which can be used in the staff rooms.” Hermanus Rotary Club President, Barry Hackforth, Rotarians Ferdi Marais, Adré Smit and Sue Hackforth, as well as Sr Marlene Samuels and staff members of the WC Department of Health were present at the handover at the Hermanus Hospital.
Christiaan Plaatjies, Charis Whitebooi, Sophia Barends, Sr. Heather Kinnear and Cathlene Solomons with Rotarian Ferdi Marais and Hermanus Rotary Club President, Barry Hackforth. PHOTO: Supplied
12
17 February 2021
www.thevillagenews.co.za
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
Revamped offices for Hermanus Animal Welfare T
he Hermanus Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) is delighted with their new-look reception offices, thanks to Easylife Kitchens Hermanus. “When we noticed how the HAWS offices could do with an upgrade, we immediately jumped in to assist them,” says Marlene Raats, Easylife Kitchens Hermanus store manager. “The HAWS staff work tirelessly every day with hurt and neglected animals, and giving their reception area a redesign was something small we could do for them.” HAWS chairperson, Pamela Quinn, says they are truly grateful to Easylife
Kitchens (ELK). “The brand-new office has given our staff a new zest for life. The three work stations are so well planned, with ample cupboard space throughout the office. It makes one want to work there! What a pleasure it is to now be able to welcome visitors and prospective pet owners to a bright and clean office. “As If this was not enough, ELK also kindly revamped the office kitchen and, with clever planning, what used to be a small and cramped area, is now a very functional kitchen,” adds Pam. The materials were donated by ELK
Manufacturing and the talented staff at ELK Hermanus did the designing and installation. “The installation team consisted of Shane Wepener, who has been with Easylife Kitchens for over 15 years, and Akhona Gura who assisted him,” says Marleen. “ELK Hermanus is very proud to have been part of this special project and we wish the wonderful staff of HAWS many happy years in their beautiful new office.” Praising the superior quality of the product and workmanship, Pam thanks Easylife Kitchens Hermanus on behalf of HAWS for their generosity.
ABOVE: Easylife Kitchens Hermanus store manager Marleen Raats with HAWS chairperson Pamela Quinn in front of the newly upgraded reception area at the kennels. LEFT: HAWS receptionist Amanda Havenga is delighted with their revamped offices and kitchen. FAR LEFT: Kennel manager Peter Hansen at his new work station. PHOTOS: Supplied
Local expertise, national presence and international audience
R 2 380 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE SANDBAAI, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE
Home is where love resides and memories are created This pristine home is nestled in the popular Avenues with magnificent mountain views and enjoys indoor-outdoor living at its best. This immaculate home leads the way to a relaxed upmarket lifestyle. The open-plan lounge, dining room and gourmet kitchen, high trusses, granite countertops, a fireplace, quality fittings and finishes, all make this the perfect dream home.The living areas and main bedroom both lead out onto a private patio with a built-in braai and a porcelain prep bowl, completing the perfect picture. The en-suite main bedroom is spacious and the other 2 bedrooms share a guest bathroom. The single garage is fitted for laundry appliances, has storage space and offers direct access into the home. The front garden is well established and easy to maintain with majestic mountain views. The Avenues is a secure gated complex situated close to the Curro School on the western side of Sandbaai. This estate is close to the Whale Coast Mall, restaurants, beaches, local wine farms, morning markets and many more attractions. The Avenues offers beautiful communal gardens, walk-paths, a play park for children with access to a sparkling community pool and a dog park. Jenny Küsel 083 262 7578 Stephen de Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB 1893535
R 2 250 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE HERMANUS HEIGHTS, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE
Live your dream in Hermanus This immaculate home is nestled on a corner stand in the secure Sundew Villas. The spacious open-plan lounge, dining room and kitchen flow onto a verandah and quaint pretty garden. The lovely kitchen sets the tone for home-made cooking and great family gatherings. The braai room is well equipped with a built-in braai and built-in cupboards enhancing the ambiance to great braais and also leads out to the front enclosed garden. Many a cup of tea or glass of wine will be enjoyed on the lovely verandah whilst enjoying the beautiful garden and the serenity of the mountain views. The main-en-suite bedroom, 2 additional bedrooms and a guest bathroom with quality finishes complete the picture. Sundew Villas is a secure gated estate situated on the western side of Sandbaai offering a sparkling communal pool and garden, a play park for children, a dog park, walk paths and much more.The estate is close to the Whale Coast Mall, Curro School, local wine farms, restaurants, popular beaches, excellent hospitals and many more amenities. Jenny Küsel 083 262 7578 Stephen de Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB 1545961
Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond 16 Hope Street, cnr Dirkie Uys, Hermanus, 7200 +27 (0)21 205 7135 hermanus@fineandcountry.com
Park Lane Office 119/121 Park Lane, London, W1 +44 (0)207 079 1515 admin@fineandcountry.com
Regionally 15 offices throughout Western Cape Nationally 45 offices across South Africa Internationally Over 300 offices globally
www.fineandcountry.com
14
17 February 2021
www.thevillagenews.co.za
MY OPINION
Hermanus CBD – Quo Vadis? By Phillip Parsons
A
nyone walking through the largely deserted streets of the CBD, confronted by empty shops and few tourists must ask themselves what the future holds for the business heart of Hermanus. I suspect that the answer to that question will depend on how one sees the future unfolding. I am sure many business operators will not be speculating about the future, they will simply be trying to cope with the present situation and ensure that their business enterprise survives over the next few weeks and months. They will be focussed on generating enough income to pay rent, staff salaries, service their debt and put food on their own table.
One can but sympathise with their pain and as residents of this beautiful town we should be doing all we can to ensure their survival through our support for local businesses. Others will be anticipating that the environment that sustained them in the past will be returning soon: overseas visitors will once again come to Hermanus, local tourists will spend their money here and things
will return to pre-Covid-19 normality once again. The years lost to the Coronavirus will become a distant memory. I fear that folk who envisage this scenario are being unrealistic. It is highly likely that even when a semblance of normality returns to our world, fewer people will travel overseas, there will be less discretionary income and Hermanus is not going to attract the same numbers of tourists as in the past. Hoping to re-establish the economy of the CBD based solely on a thriving tourism industry might be a costly illusion. What the CBD needs is a vision of its future not entirely dependent on tourism, and this requires a re-envisioning of the structure of Hermanus in a way that will re-invigorate local businesses and ensure a vibrant and active CBD. What this will require is a vision that sees residents returning to those areas where previously they had been displaced by large and small businesses, and where existing holiday accommodation is converted to units for permanent residents. Existing commercial buildings in the CBD will need to move all businesses to street level, subdividing larger spaces to accommodate smaller
businesses, thus freeing up first and second floor accommodation for conversion into residential units. Houses in the CBD that have been rezoned for business purposes will need to be returned to residential use and no further erosion of the residential core of the town must be allowed. For the CBD to flourish it needs people, people who live in the immediate area, who spend their money there rather than at the malls and who give life to the streets seven days a week. The conversion of office buildings to residential apartments could be a lucrative venture post-Covid-19 and is one of a few options available to property owners facing rising levels of unused office space. Such conversions will not only address the concerning issue of high office vacancy rates but also provide more housing in and near major urban hubs.
of the most attractive towns in the entire country, but the influx of tourists over the years has seen the exodus of locals from the CBD as residential properties have gained value as business premises, and existing accommodation has become unaffordable for the average person who has been forced to purchase an apartment on the outskirts of the town or in surrounding suburbs such as Sandbaai. Undoubtedly many of these would prefer to live in the town of Hermanus itself, if affordable accommodation was available. If this is the future of the CBD, who is going to make it happen? Our municipality, which does an outstanding job of maintaining our infrastructure and providing efficient services, is not likely to have the vision for such a task.
Converting unused office buildings to flats in the country’s CBDs has been a common-sense trend for more than a decade, says Erwin Rode of Rode & Associates… – Bonnie Fourie, July 2020 (https://www.property360.co.za/ news/making-offices-into-flats-postcovid-a-profitable-model)
This needs a team of town planners, architects, spatial engineers, property developers and other specialists to come together and create a comprehensive, achievable programme to reconfigure the physical landscape of the CBD to attract residents back to the town centre and repurpose existing buildings in line with that programme.
Hermanus is acknowledged as one
Clearly the municipal officials would
need to be involved since they would need to implement zoning laws and introduce favourable property rating schemes to encourage property owners to align with this programme, but it needs to be driven by a group of local citizens. Is such a vision achievable? One only has to look at cities that have re-imagined themselves and brought residents back to the city to see that this is not only eminently achievable, it is highly desirable if we are not to experience the ongoing degradation of the Hermanus CBD. Some of the most sought-after places to live are cities and towns that a few years ago were considered almost beyond saving. They have also managed to re-invent themselves as viable commercial centres with a vibrant residential community at their heart. Can Hermanus achieve the same? It remains to be seen if there are enough people with vision and commitment, and whether their subsequent vision has the full support of the municipality. Let’s hope that we can indeed achieve this transformation and ensure the sustainability of the commercial heart of Hermanus.
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
15
MY ENVIRONMENT
Cradle of human culture on our doorstep By Dr Anina Lee
H
ow do we define modern humans? How do they differ from early hominids and, for that matter, from animals like chimpanzees? Experts use three criteria to describe human behaviour: cognitive capacity (the ability to think about the world); planning capacity (ability to understand steps needed to achieve a goal); and the use of symbolism to convey meaning. Until recently it was believed that truly modern human behaviour started in Europe and Asia – 40 000 to 50 000 years ago.
PHOTO: golfscape.com
Yes, 160 000 years ago, the world was in the grip of an Ice Age. So much seawater was tied up in polar ice caps that sea levels were considerably lower than they are now. The distance between the present Overstrand coast to the seashore all those ages ago was easily 10 km and, in some cases, 100 km away, at the current edge of the Agulhas Bank. Around the caves, the coastal plain was akin to the present Serengeti, with rolling savanna and large antelope and other food sources aplenty. It was a paradise for early humans, while most of the world was under snow and ice. They were also less affected by the ‘volcanic winter' caused by a huge volcanic eruption that blacked out large areas of the planet.
ABOVE: The Pinnacle Point Golf Estate was built above the caves, which were damaged by water seeping into the caves from the irrigation of the golf course. BELOW: Excavations in the coastal caves at Pinnacle Point near Mossel Bay revealed archaeological artefacts and other physical evidence critically important to understanding how and when fully modern humans evolved. Several of these caves were occupied by Stone Age people and house the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour dating back to 163 000 years ago.
This new research has detailed the hidden ecosystem that once acted as an Eden-like sanctuary for animal life, including early humans, at the southern tip of South Africa. The Quaternary Science Reviews 2020 reported:
Since the year 2000 discoveries from Blombos Cave near Stilbaai turned that notion around. They found evidence of modern human behaviour from 65 000 to 100 000 years ago – i.e. 50 000 years before Europe. Then came further discoveries at Pinnacle Point. A series of coastal caves here on the Southern Cape coast near Mossel Bay contain archaeological artefacts and other physical evidence critically important to understanding how and when fully modern humans evolved. Several of these caves were occupied by Stone Age people and house the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour dating back to 163 000 years ago. Scientists now believe that these findings are the earliest evidence that humans had developed the intellectual capacity that characterises modern people. Inhabitants of these caves produced composite tools. They fashioned tiny stone blades and glued them to a shaft to make arrows. To exploit the intertidal zone to access shellfish, they connected lunar phases with the tides. It was only worth trekking 5 – 10 km to the coast at new moon or full moon to collect the very nutritious shellfish at the lowest tides.
"During interglacials, when the coast moved closer to the caves, humans had shellfish and other marine resources, and when the coast expanded in glacial times, hunters had access to a rich, terrestrial environment… This unique confluence of food from the land and sea cultivated the complex cultures revealed by the archaeology and provided safe harbour for humans during the glacial cycles that made much of the rest of the world unwelcoming to human life." Why would these early humans move from this paradise? It was only when the Ice Age let up that humans started to move north, out of Africa, and eventually across the world. So evidence of human culture has been found on the Southern Cape coast long before it appeared in Europe and Asia. Ochre is a poorly metamorphosed stone, rich in iron oxide. The stone can be ground to form orange to red powder. As seen in these caves, the use of ochre indicates symbolic behaviour, a cultural trait of modern humans. Animism – the belief system that attributed a spirit and soul to all things in nature – was common to all societies. Is it at all surprising that we still "find our soul" in wild places?
PHOTO: Erich Fisher This precious heritage site at Pinnacle Point was almost irretrievably damaged by post-industrial human greed in the guise of ‘development’.
resorts company, Pinnacle Point Resorts, to stop irrigating sites on the golf course to prevent further damage.
These important early human habitation sites were being destroyed by water seeping into it from a golf course. Researchers claimed that the seepage was happening because a proper drainage system was not installed on the golf course above the caves.
The judge dismissed WESSA's application, but the resorts company went bust and the homeowners' association took over and negotiated with the heritage community. These environmentally conscious homeowners came to the rescue of the priceless national heritage and resolved the problems. This is just another example of how responsible civil society had to step in and care for the environment, when big business and government seemed to care little.
In May 2008 the Wildlife & Environment Society of SA (WESSA) unsuccessfully attempted to get an urgent high court interdict to force the then
Cuddles are forever, not just for valentine's Give your snuggle bunny a plush toy from our wide selection for pets of all ages & sizes Find us at Station Mall, tel: 028 312 3028
17 February 2021
17
www.thevillagenews.co.za
MY ENVIRONMENT
A golden day out on the ocean Zealand Whaler and in Afrikaans the ‘Ratelhaai’, comparing these tough-skinned animals to the fearless Honey Badger. By Jax Bath
coming up and giving the divers in the cage some serious thrills. They are a schooling species and so the presence of other Bronzies doesn’t bother them at all. No only do they investigate the lures put out by us humans, but they will also check out seaweed or any other objects floating at the surface.
T
his week’s ocean story takes place in the next bay east of Walker Bay, in an area that has been known as The Shallows long before the Blake Lively movie. Kleinbaai has long been famed as a hive of shark activity, holding the title of Great White Shark capital of the world, until recent years when the dynamics have changed and other species have begun to surface during times when the Great Whites find themselves on hiatus. For the first time in over a year, I had the wonderful opportunity to join White Shark Projects out on the water for a shark cage diving excursion. Humans have a long history with these animals, with the name Bronze Whaler stemming back from the whaling era when these opportunistic cartilaginous creatures would help themselves to the whalers’ catch before whales were taken back to port. They are also famous for following the largest shoal on earth, joining in on the annual sardine run when fishermen and divers encounter them as they hunt one of their favourite foods.
After a warm welcome in their newly revamped meeting room, we set off down to the boat nestled in the quaint Kleinbaai harbour. The surroundings were painted with mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere as we launched through the narrow channel and made our way towards Joubert’s Dam. This is the other name for The Shallows, the area where we find ourselves doing most of the shark cage diving throughout the year. It’s only about a 15 minute boat ride out, and once we arrive at a potential site, the skipper assesses the sea conditions to choose a spot to drop anchor.
In addition to the Bronze Whalers, we also had a cheeky seal come up to say hi. This particular girl has been around the boats for ages and specialises in hunting the mullets, pushing them up against the boat before gobbling them up. A very strange addition to this trip was the presence of White Sea Catfish at the boat. In the five years that I’ve been visiting this area, these fish have never ever come to the surface before. They grow to a size of around 26cm and are found between Swakopmund and East London. The males of this species should be nominated for father of the year awards, carrying their eggs and later the hatched embryos of their brood for up to 4 months in their mouths! This can cause them to lose almost 1/3 of their body weight, which is the same sort of dramatic weight loss seen by Southern Right Whales when nursing their calves.
Around the shark cage diving boats, the Bronze Whaler is a real delight. I find them a lot more playful than their great white cousins, exhibiting an almost puppy-like nature as they hang out around the boats. They grow to just over 3m in length and the colour of their skin ranges from sun-kissed gold to dark copper, but my favourite thing about these sharks is hands down their gorgeous eyes.
After a lovely time sitting on anchor and taking in the sight of all these wonderful species, we took the scenic route home, stopping off at Geyser Rock to say hi to our 60 000 strong Cape Fur Seal colony. This is perhaps the best time of year to pay a visit to these playful pinnipeds, as the pups are beginning to learn to swim. We watched as they mucked about in the water for a while before making our way back for a hearty lunch, the perfect end to the perfect oceanic excursion. From here, the process of chumming begins where fish oil is used to create a pungent slick. This chum slick runs from the boat out towards the ocean, and the idea is to have the sharks swim through it, pick up on the scent and approach the boat. We were lucky to have a curious golden girl come up and visit straight away, having a quick squiz around the boat before disappearing into the depths.
This golden girl is most commonly known as a Bronze Whaler Shark. These sharks have frequented the shark cage diving boats since 2017 and are a sight to behold. They go by several names: The Bronze Whaler, The Copper Shark, Cocktail Shark, New
Great Whites have blue eyes, which appear almost black in colour when one encounters them. Copper Sharks however have green, cat-like eyes with really defined pupils. Their eyes are best gazed at whilst under water, though they sometimes give us a lovely view from the boat as they lift their heads to investigate things at the surface of the water.
On our trip, we had three Bronze Whalers around, taking turns
Until next week!
18
17 February 2021
www.thevillagenews.co.za
MOTORING
F
on cars
Compiled by John Floyd
Lexus celebrates 10 years of LFA T
en years have passed since the start of production of the LFA, an authentic supercar that revealed a new aspect of Lexus as a committed and visionary manufacturer of world-class high-performance cars. For all its exclusivity and rarity – from the outset, production was limited to just 500 examples – the LFA left a legacy that has influenced every car Lexus has built since. It pioneered new powertrain and materials’ technologies and exemplified the takumi hand-crafted approach to manufacturing and design that has become a brand-defining quality for Lexus. The LFA story began in early 2000 as a research and development project to produce a thoroughbred supercar. Lexus Chief Engineer Harahiko Tanahashi was given free rein and the chance to work with new materials and processes. This “clean sheet” approach echoed the way Lexus rewrote the luxury car rulebook with the flagship LS sedan that launched the marque ten years previously. In 2001 Master Driver Hiromi Naruse joined the team and his skills would prove key to the LFA achieving its handling and performance goals. In the early stages, 500 key assets were identified, from the suspension design to the shape of the steering wheel; every detail had to be perfect. The first prototype was completed in 2003 and a year later was running its first laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the legendary race track
that would be the cradle of the LFA’s development, based in Germany.
in just 3.7 seconds and on to a 325 km/h top speed.
The world had its first glimpse of what Lexus was planning with the reveal of a design study at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in the USA, Detroit, followed by a closer-to-production concept car two years later. In 2008 the LFA – still a work-in-progress – made the first of four annual appearances in the gruelling 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This was the toughest possible test of the car’s performance and quality, prior Lexus confirming its production at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
Keeping the car’s weight down was essential to its performance, achieved by switching from the aluminium used for the original concepts to carbon fibre reinforced plastic – CFRP. This strong but lightweight advanced woven composite material was used for the most of the bodywork, the passenger cell and the transmission tunnel and has since been used in other Lexus models, including the GS F and RC F, members of Lexus’ exclusive F-performance car stable. Stopping power had to be as effective as the drive, hence the use of high-performance ceramic brake discs.
Manufacturing began at Lexus’ state-of-the-art Motomachi plant in Japan,at the end of 2010. Such was the dedication to precision engineering, production was at a rate of just one car per day with each engine assembled and signed off by a single technician, complete with an engraved plate bearing the car’s production number. The LFA was rich in amazing and revolutionary features. At its heart was an all-new, naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V10 engine, produced in a joint venture with specialists Yamaha. Even though it was smaller and had fewer cylinders than some supercar rivals, its performance was exceptional, delivering a maximum 411 kW at 8,700 rpm. Front-mounted and driving the rear wheels through a sixspeed automated sequential gearbox positioned on the rear axle, it could power the car from rest to 100 km/h
There was still more the LFA had to offer, in the form of the ultra-exclusive Nürburgring Package, a version re-engineered to maximise the car’s track potential. Drawing directly on the car’s racing experience, it gained stiffer suspension, lighter forged alloy wheels with performance tyres and extra aerodynamic features, including a new front lip spoiler, front winglets and a fixed GT-style high rear wing to maximise downforce. With ride height reduced by 10 mm, the car also hugged the ground more closely. To compensate for the extra drag, engine power was increased to 419 kW.
production car, driven by Akira Ida.
Production for this package was to be just 50 cars, with each owner given professional instruction and a year’s driving pass to the Nürburgring. Its quality was confirmed in 2011 when it set a new Nordschelife lap record for a
The last word on the LFA should go to Harahiko Tanahashi the man who realised the dream. He explained: “I intended to build a supercar that would put the driver to this state through the unity of its parts – the
engine’s sound, its feel when revving, its handling and stability.” Asked what “this state” meant, he replied simply “euphoria.” Due to its iconic status, Lexus South Africa is privileged to have an LFA (372 built) in its heritage fleet.
19
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
Maserati celebrates the start of a new era
M
aserati South Africa is ready to accelerate into 2021 with a line-up of new models and the much-anticipated arrival of the World’s Most Beautiful Supercar.
The luxury Italian car manufacturer will soon launch the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid in South Africa as the first model to kick-start the brand’s new era. “It is only fitting that the Ghibli Hybrid is the first new model from Maserati to be launched in South Africa. It combines petrol and electric power, which is significant for the future of our brand, and South Africa was host to the hybrid testing mules during their hot weather testing cycle,” says Nagesh Naidoo, the Dealer Principal of Maserati Johannesburg. Following the introduction of the Hybrid, Maserati will shift its focus
to high performance cars, with the launch of a complete range of Trofeo models.
els thus far introduced in South Africa, the focus will shift to the MC20 super sports car.
“Last year we introduced and quickly sold out the Levante Trofeo with its bi-turbo 433 kW V8 engine.
Maserati’s new MC20 will make its debut in mid-2021 and will arrive in South Africa towards the end of the year. Maserati Johannesburg placed the first South African orders shortly after the model’s global reveal in Modena, Italy, in September 2020.
This year, a new consignment of Levante Trofeo models is on its way, accompanied by bespoke versions of the Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo,” says Naidoo. The Ghibli Trofeo and the larger Quattroporte Trofeo are fitted with the same Ferrari-sourced V8 engine but promises a pure driving experience with 433 kW delivered through the rear wheels. Both models will offer a top speed of 326 km/h. Following the launch of the Trofeo range, Maserati’s most powerful mod-
The MC20, for Maserati Corse, is the harbinger of a new era of style, performance and passion for the Italian brand. It features a new 463 kW V6 engine, made by Maserati, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of only 2.9 seconds. This model was voted the World’s Most Beautiful Supercar at the 2021 Festival Automobile International.
PCSA takes over distribution of Opel vehicles in SA and launches the new Corsa The much-anticipated incorporation of the Opel brand into the Peugeot Citroen South Africa (PCSA) stable has taken place. We are pleased to announce PCSA has become the official distributor of Opel vehicles in South Africa from the 1st of January 2021. Opel has a long and distinguished history in South Africa, with presence in the market since the 1930s. The brand is expected to continue growing from strength to strength owing to the solid foundation built in the 80-plus years here in South Africa. It was one of the few International Car Brands to allow special edition models to be developed uniquely for the South African market. The Opel brand has also enjoyed critical acclaims in South Africa, winning the South African Car of the year title 4 times since 1991. “Of course, we are very excited to be distributing Opel vehicles” said Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director of Peugeot Citroen South Africa, “the brand has a large following locally, and the future product line up is very exciting, with 4 product launches or updates planned for this year”. PCSA, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stellantis, currently distribute Peugeot vehicles and since October 2019 Citroen vehicles as well. Opel becomes the third Stellantis brand to be distributed by PCSA. “It is a natural progression, as the three brands complement each other, each appealing to a specific customer profile” stated Ramsoomar. “In addition, it allows our
multi-brand dealers to have a single point of contact with the OEM”. PCSA have been very clear in their approach to the Opel Brand, assuring dealers and customers, that the impact to them should be minimal, with no immediate changes planned to the existing dealer network, customers can be assured that they will still have access to the same service points as they previously did. “One of our focus areas for this year is training, with an emphasis on quality and customer service” assured Ramsoomar,” working with the existing dealer network”. The announcement of the distributorship comes with great news: The introduction of the much-anticipated, award winning ALL-NEW 6th Generation Opel Corsa, which will be available at Opel dealerships across South Africa from mid-January this year. This FUTURE-READY GERMAN CITYCAR is more than just a style leader; it is an award-winning titleholder from the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show for the Best Buy Car of Europe, 2020. The AUTOBEST jury, made of international journalists from 31 countries, chose the Opel newcomer as the car with the best price-performance ratio in Europe. It also scored an AUTOBEST title hat-trick in three successive generations. The newcomer keeps getting it right; in Germany, it has been named Company Car of the Year, and most recently, it received the Connected Car Award from the Auto Bild Group. In
Spain, the New Corsa won the Premio Best Car Coche Global title; there is nothing this ALL-NEW 6th Generation Opel Corsa cannot do. CORSA EDITION will soon be seen in the streets of South Africa This intriguing new model with a 3-Cylinder - 1.2l petrol engine, generating 55kW is a statement of the new bold & pure exterior design of Opel. It emphasises the precision of German engineering, combined with the bold sculptural artistry. The design of the cockpit features a driver-oriented instrument panel with a distinctly sporty, yet welcoming personality executed with German precision. The controls of the interior are laid out based on the principle of functional grouping and cognitive ergonomics. Compared to the outgoing model, the new Corsa lost up to 10 percent of weight, translating into a curb weight of 980 kilograms for this five-door model in its lightest form. It is about 108 kg less than the car it replaces, even though they are roughly the same size. The new Corsa is 4.06 meters long, with boot capacity of 309 litres, an increase on the outgoing model of 10%. This car remains a compact car for navigating cities or suburban streets. It will be fully enjoyed by progressive young people, interested in the latest technology, and an active social life. These are predominantly the kind
of people who do not mind being seen, hence prefer a car with a design that stands out like the new Corsa Edition. The Edition is more direct and more dynamic – for more fun behind the wheel. This small car has big car technology that offers superior connectivity. The new Corsa Edition will cost R289,900 and will be simply the first
derivative launched this year, with further versions planned for the first quarter this year, the new Corsa will appeal to a broad audience. Further details will be revealed in due course. The new Corsa makes every drive connected, secure and comfortable with a wide array of class-leading tech features and a variety of driver assistance safety systems.
20
www.thevillagenews.co.za
Mazda Unveils All-New Mazda CX-30 Compact SUV in South Africa
M
azda Southern Africa unveiled the second model in its 7th Generation line-up, the Mazda CX-30 compact SUV. The vehicle was first revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2019 and launched internationally in April 2019. This new compact SUV forms part of our CX Range and slots between the Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-5. Following the launch of the allnew Mazda3, the Mazda CX-30 is the second model in Mazda’s next generation line-up. Combining the bold proportions of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, its styling is a sophisticated evolution of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, while it’s spacious and versatile cabin ensures it has the practicality and comfort demanded by customers in this popular segment. The model line-up consists of three derivatives, offered in front-wheel drive (FWD) and automatic transmission: Active, Dynamic and Individual. The Mazda CX-30 range will be powered by a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine, which puts out 121kW of power (at 6,000rpm) and 213Nm of torque (at 4,000rpm), and features Mazda’s characteristic generous standard equipment across the entire range.
Every car across the range comes standard with high grade features such as LED Headlamps with Auto levelling; Driver, Passenger, Knee (Driver), Side & Curtain airbags; HeadUp Display (HUD); MZD Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-Inch Display Screen; Apple Carplay™ and Android Auto™, to name a few. The Mazda CX-30 offers a choice of nine exterior colours. Active and Dynamic grades feature 16-inch grey metallic alloy wheels, whereas the Individual grade features 18-inch silver metallic alloy wheels. The appealing exterior is matched with a comfortable, premium-feeling interior. Elegant components like the driver centric cockpit, centre console and door paneling are beautifully crafted and the CX-30 delivers on the ‘Jinba Ittai’ car and driver as one ethos you’d expect from Mazda. The Active and Dynamic grades will feature a dark grey cloth seat trim with black and navy blue accents on the dashboard. The Dynamic grade will also be available with an optional greige cloth seat trim. The Individual is equipped with black perforated leather seats and will feature black and brown accents on the dashboard. Since its launch in 2019, the Mazda CX-30 has received many accolades,
including: winner of the Car of the Year 2020 in Thailand, winner of the 2020 Red Dot Design Award, earned five stars and the highest safety rating in the Euro NCAP, won the 2020 Design Trophy in the SUV category in Germany, and being a finalist for the 2020 World Car of the Year Award. Commenting on the launch of the Mazda CX-30 in South Africa, Craig Roberts, Managing Director Mazda Southern Africa said: “We are excited that we are now able to offer our customers this superb new contender in the compact SUV category. Made for a wide range of fans, especially younger people who are approaching significant life transitions, the Mazda CX-30 was engineered so meticulously that it leaves you feeling like it was made just for you. We believe that the Mazda CX-30 offers a superb value proposition with many high grade standard features across the range, leaving the driver feeling confident and relaxed.” MAZDA CARE The Mazda CX-30 comes standard with a 3-year unlimited kilometre service plan. To provide complete peace of mind motoring, a 3-year factory warranty, a 3-year roadside assistance and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty are also included.
17 February 2021
21
www.thevillagenews.co.za
17 February 2021
Lighter, faster, further: Jaguar Land Rover’s groundbreaking advanced composites project J
aguar Land Rover is preparing for future electric vehicles with advanced lightweight composite research that will help deliver increased range, greater performance and a more dynamic drive. The Tucana project is a four year programme to make the UK a world leader in low-carbon technology, helping prevent 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions between 2023 and 2032 by accelerating mainstream use of electric vehicles and making vehicles lighter to both decrease tailpipe emissions and reduce energy consumption of electrified powertrains. The research will allow Jaguar Land Rover to develop lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures by replacing aluminium and steel with composites capable of handling
the increased torque generated by high-performance batteries, while improving efficiency and reducing CO2 impact. Jaguar Land Rover aims to increase vehicle stiffness by 30 percent, cut weight by 35kg and further refine the crash safety structure through the strategic use of tailored composites, such as carbon fibre. Reducing the vehicle body weight will allow the fitting of larger batteries with increased range – without impacting CO2 emissions. Advanced composites offer significant reductions in vehicle weight, and by 2022, Jaguar Land Rover expects to have developed a fleet of prototype Tucana test vehicles. The consortium, led by Jaguar Land
Rover, brings together world-leading academic and industry partners including the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Expert Tooling & Automation, Broetje-Automation UK, Toray International UK, CCP Gransden and The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS). Marcus Henry, Research Manager at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The development of new lightweight body structures to complement the latest zero-emissions powertrains will be key as the electrification of our vehicle range continues. This project will allow the true environmental credentials of electric vehicles to be realised by enabling wider adoption of the technology and will propel Jaguar Land Rover and the UK supply chain into a world-leading position in low-carbon technology.”
Ian Risk, Chief Technology Officer at CFMS, said: “Tucana shows how new technology development can be optimised and accelerated with digital engineering. Using new digital design, development and manufacturing tools helps to deliver emissions reduction faster, so the UK economy can reach zero emissions quicker.”
the hybrid options available across the Range Rover family.
The continued electrification of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles is part of a commitment to make societies safer and healthier through innovative technology. Jaguar has completed the electrification of its PACE family with the P300e plug-in hybrid powertrain offered on the new Jaguar E-PACE and P400e for Jaguar F-PACE alongside the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE. Similarly, the new Range Rover Velar is now offered with the P400e, completing
Project Tucana will deliver this vision by developing world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions. In doing so the project will allow the true environmental credentials of electric vehicles to be realised by enabling wider adoption. Tucana will deliver this step-change by addressing structural performance at a design, material and volume manufacturing-level which is currently unmet across the industry.
About Tucana Tucana brings together a consortium of world-leading academic and industry partners with the aim of delivering stiffer and lighter vehicle structures, to boost the performance of electrified vehicles.